Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-09-30

| have ever seen, for the farmer is
certain to get back the natural increase
OF wheat he sows. Here there is no
drough or invasion of calamitous in
sects. Homes are easily obtained,
and at low figures The Northern
Pacific railroad lands are disposed of
upon easy terms, and there yet re-
mains great t:>al of Government
land for homestead and pre-emption.
The lumber interest of the Puget
Sound country are enormous and the
mills OF Port Gamble, Tacoma and
other places are said to be among the
largest in the world.
| MINERALS.
Enough has been done to prove
that the Territory is very rich in min
erals, but as yet this industry may be
said to be in its infancy. A number
of large coal mines are in operation
near Puget Sound, and there is, to all
appearances, an eXhaustible supply.
The fishing interests and the canneries
OF the Columbia river are matters of
history and everybody is supposed to
be informed in regard to them.
THE POPULATION
Is made up from many countries and
even the harmless Indian can still be
seen. People from the Southern
States are coming in considerable
numbers and are taking considerable
part in commercial and public affairs.
Seattle, with a population estimated
to be about thirteen thousand, and
Tacoma the western terminus of the
Northern Pacific railroad, with pop
ulation estimated at from eight to
nine thousand, are the largest cities.
Olympia, AZ the head of Puget Sound,
and the capital of the Territory, has a
population of about two thousand.
THE GOVERNMENT
Being that of Territory, is, in its
chief heads appointed at Washington,
now in Democratic hands. The
Delegate in Congress, too, has been
twice elected by the people of the
Territory from the Democratic ranks,
though it is possible the Republican
party has some ascendency in num-
bers. AS for education, the common
schools are numerous and the length
OF terms is steadily increasing, besides
which it is pleasant to expect in the
near future the 2,OOO, 600 acres of land
which the Government has set apart
within this jurisdiction for the uses of
schools, and which are to be possessed
with statehood.
EASTERN WASHINGTON.
OF this portion of the Territory l
have seen but little, but am told it
resembles in its general character
many better known parts OF the Un-
tied States, and consequently will
have much less to say of it. 1t has
very large tracts of fertile prairie land,
and, having greater heat in summer,
produce crops that are not cult
waited on the western side. Its wheat
yield is growing to be enormous, and
as the Cascade branch of the Northern
Pacific railroad is now laid across the
mountains this great product is easily
brought to Puget Sound. For stock
growing, too, Eastern Washington is
exceedingly fine. The principal
towns are Spokane Falls, Walla Walla,
COlfax and Yakima, with populations
varying at from 5000 to 1900.
In conclusion, l would say this seems
to be region in which most men live
happily, and l have observed that
few who live here for one or two years
care to go away. The climate is con-
sidered healthy, but l would recon-
mend that those who are threatened
with pulmonary or catarrhal troubles
had best locate on the eastern side of
the mountains.
j. CABELL BRECKENRIDGE.
Miss Lucy Salmon, the new Profes-
sOr of History at Vassar College, is a
woman with a future. Her book,
" The Appointing Power of the Presi-
dent" is the clearest monograph that
has appeared on that difficult subject,
and is a noteworthy production for
one of the non-political sex. Miss
Salmon is u graduate of Michigan Uni